The Producers was first seen on screen in 1967 as a satirical film starring Gene Wilder as accountant Leo Bloom.

Paul Easom stars as Max Bialystock in The Producers at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage

More than 30 years later, in 2001, The Producers took to Broadway starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in the best known roles.

After a record-breaking Broadway run, it was released as a film in 2005, with Lane and Broderick reprising their roles as Max and Leo on the big screen.

Meanwhile, the original London West End stage production from 2004, again starring Nathan Lane as Max, this time opposite comedian Lee Evans as Bloom, won a number of Laurence Olivier Awards.

Both Paul and Ryan are aware of the famous footsteps they are following in.

Ryan Owen stars as Leo Bloom in The Producers at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage

Paul, who will play Broadway producer Max, said: “I saw Nathan Lane play it on Broadway.

“I also saw him do it in London and, obviously, Zero Mostel in the original film before it was a musical.

“And I’ve actually worked with the man in the original film who played Roger DeBris, the director. He [Christopher Hewett] directed a production of The Boyfriend I did at the Old Vic. So we have a connection from the original film.”

Ryan, who will play Leo, said: “Obviously they are such iconic people and iconic actors – and they know exactly what they are doing. The way they work with the role is incredible.

“I definitely prefer the second film myself, because I love Matthew Broderick.”

Paul loves working on the Gordon Craig’s version of The Producers.

He said: “It’s great to be in it. It’s a wonderful show.

“It’s very true to the original. It’s got a great score and it’s a very funny book.

“I think it’s probably one of the best written musicals, most definitely.

“All the characters have their moments when they shine, even though Max and Leo are the protagonists, it’s everybody’s show.”